Is adhesion surgery safe during pregnancy?

Q:My 37 years old pregnant wife is convinced that she needs to terminate her pregnancy in order to have adhesion surgery. She told me that no doctor will operate on her while she is pregnant. Is adhesion surgery safe during pregnancy? She has a history of adhesions and surgeries. She is taking a lot of pain pills during the pregnancy.

A:What adhesions does your wife have? If your wife has bowel adhesions, then she does not need termination of pregnancy. She can continue with her pregnancy. Adhesions should not have any implication on her pregnancy. Adhesiolysis can be carried out at least 6 weeks after childbirth, based on her symptoms.

All kinds of surgery should be avoided while pregnant. Any operation in pregnancy should be carried out only if absolutely essential. I don't think adhesion surgery is that essential.

Pain-killers such as paracetamol are absolutely safe in pregnancy. Codeine may also be taken. Much depends on which stage of pregnancy and what medicines your wife has taken.